26/04/2025
Gombe State Govt Intensifies Measures to Prevent Accidents, Safeguard Public Safety
..As GOSUPDA Conducts Development Control Along Gully Control Sites, Tumfure, New Mile 3, Others
By Adamu Abubakar Kumo and Saeed Ahmad Bappah, Gombe
The Gombe State Government, under the leadership of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has stepped up efforts to prevent road accidents and safeguard lives and property across the state.
This was disclosed by the Executive Chairman of the Gombe State Urban Planning and Development Authority (GOSUPDA), Alhaji Bappayo Samanja Maudo (Turakin Babba of Gombe), during a special inspection exercise at New Mile 3.
Addressing newsmen, Maudo explained that the government had earlier installed road barriers to slow traffic and restrict heavy trucks from accessing the metropolitan area. Unfortunately, he lamented, some miscreants and their collaborators had illegally removed the barriers installed to prevent indiscriminate parking and access through the Southern Bypass.
“To further curb accidents and other traffic-related dangers, the government has restored the illegally removed heavy-speed blocks. We also plan to install additional speed breakers at strategic locations, particularly in congested areas and critical junctions, to control over-speeding,” Maudo stated.
He emphasized that these actions are part of the government's broader strategy to address recurring road accidents that have resulted in the loss of lives and property across the state.
Maudo reiterated that the New Mile 3 area forms part of the state's Special Development Zone, stressing that trailers and heavy-duty trucks are prohibited from parking along roadsides. He urged truck drivers to utilize designated facilities such as the Trailer Park in Tumfure and the Ibrahim Dankwambo Mega Park, both of which are fully equipped to accommodate heavy vehicles.
During the inspection of ongoing road construction in Tumfure, GOSUPDA discovered that some individuals had encroached on public right-of-ways and setbacks, areas previously compensated for and reserved for public infrastructure, including water pipelines and streetlights. Encroached structures were promptly demolished, while others were issued removal notices.
Earlier at Jauro Innayo, behind the Arabic Teachers College (ATC), GOSUPDA responded to complaints about an unauthorized structure being developed without official approval. The building was immediately demolished, with the Authority explaining that illegal developments like these pose significant threats to public safety, particularly by increasing the risk of catastrophic flooding.
In addition, GOSUPDA demolished encroachments and issued removal notices to defaulters who had encroached upon the FCE(T) to Unguwa Uku gully control project corridor.
The Authority warned the public against rebuilding on lands for which compensation had already been paid, stressing that it will maintain strict monitoring and will not compromise on enforcement.
At Wuro Ladde, Sudaniya, and Feshare neighborhoods, the Authority continued its development control operations, issuing 'stop and report' notices and confiscating building materials from non-compliant developers.
Similarly, at Hayin Kwarin Misau, where the state government has constructed a four-span bridge, built embankments, and reclaimed eroded land, the GOSUPDA Boss expressed concern over attempts by individuals to claim the reclaimed land or encroach on the gully setbacks.
The Authority reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public investments, removing unauthorized beacons, and urged members of the public not to fall prey to speculators and their collaborators.
Along Boltongo Road, the GOSUPDA team visited another site where a developer had grossly underpaid the required development fees. A demolition notice was issued, and partial demolition of the structure was carried out to enforce compliance.
Maudo assured that GOSUPDA is working in close collaboration with relevant security agencies and other stakeholders to ensure that safety regulations, development guidelines, and environmental protection measures are fully observed.
He stressed that protecting the lives and property of citizens remains the top priority of the Inuwa Yahaya administration, and reaffirmed the government’s unflinching commitment to creating a safe, orderly, and sustainable urban environment.
